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17 Aug 2015 - 17:04
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17 Aug 2015 - 17:04

The continuous rise in civilian casualties, which according to a report from UNAMA hit a record high number in the first six months of 2015, is very worrying.

Particularly worrying is the increase in casualties of women and children, which continues to rise. Although UNAMA recorded a one per cent increase in overall civilian casualties, the mission documented that women casualties accounted for 11 per cent of all civilian casualties in the first half of the year – a 23 per cent increase in women casualties compared to the same period of 2014, while children accounted for 26 per cent of all civilian casualties, which is a 13 per cent increase in child casualties.

The numbers are not just statistics; they represent devastation of Afghan lives. Thousands of families have lost their loved ones or have family members maimed and disabled. People are afraid to go to work, to go to the market, to send their children to school. Behind each attack opportunities are lost – futures are destroyed.

The attacks on 7 August – the worst day of civilian casualties since 2001 –   shows that civilian targeting remains a key facet of the insurgency despite repeated claims that this is not the case. It is particularly worrying that there is a 78 per cent increase in the civilian casualties from the insurgency’s suicide and complex attacks and an increase of 57 per cent from insurgent targeted killings. This infamous attack adds to their deadly toll.

Targeting civilians must stop and all parties must do their utmost to protect civilians from harm. Ordinary Afghan people must be able to go to work, to the market or to a health care clinic in order to have prosperous and healthy lives. Preventing this creates poverty and ruins the future of all Afghans.

One example is how the insurgency has attacked the Polio vaccination programs with the sad consequence that 6 Polio cases have been recorded in Afghanistan, who has not eradicated Polio, even when the vaccines are available?

The European Union remains committed to support the Afghan nation, so that all Afghan men, women and children can enjoy their human rights and the protection that follow from these rights.

There has been enough killing. Now is the time for peace and reconciliation and for all Afghans to come together to build a future for Afghanistan.

I call on all parties to stop attacking civilians in Afghanistan and respecting the lives and aspirations of the Afghan people, because Afghan lives matter.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok’s editorial policy.

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The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect Pajhwok's editorial policy.

Author's brief introduction

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Ambassador Franz Michael Mellbin is the European Union Special Representative for Afghanistan. Previously he has worked as Acting Under-Secretary of State for Global Politics and Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Special Representative of Denmark for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Head of Department for Asia, Latin America and Oceania, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Ambassador of Denmark to Japan and Ambassador of Denmark to Afghanistan. @AmbMellbin

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